Padma Awards 2021 | 27 Jan 2021

Why in News

Recently, the Padma Awards for the year 2021 were announced on the occasion of 72nd Republic Day.

Key Points

  • Awardees (2021):
    • A total of 119 Padma awards will be conferred, including 7 padma vibhushan, 10 padma bhushan and 102 padma shri.
  • Few Padma Vibhushan Awardees (out of 7)
    • Shri Shinzo Abe (Japan), Shri S P Balasubramaniam (Posthumous), Dr. Belle Monappa Hegde (Medicine), Shri Sudarshan Sahoo (Art), etc.
  • Few Padma Bhushan Awardees (out of 10)
    • Ms. Krishnan Nair Shantakumari Chithra, Shri Tarun Gogoi, Ms. Sumitra Mahajan, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, etc.
  • Few Padma Shri Awardees (out of 102)
    • Shri Gulfam Ahmed (Art), Ms. P. Anitha (Sports), Shri Rama Swamy Annavarapu (Art), etc.
  • Background:
    • The Padma Awards are announced annually on the Republic Day (26th January).
    • Instituted in 1954, it is one of the highest civilian honours of India.
  • Objective:
    • The Award seeks to recognize achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved.
  • Categories:
    • The Awards are given in three categories:
      • Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service),
      • Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher-order) and
      • Padma Shri (distinguished service).
    • Padma Vibhushan is highest in the hierarchy of Padma Awards followed by Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
  • Disciplines:
    • The Awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service etc.
  • Selection Process:
    • Padma Awards Committee: The Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year.
    • Awarded by President: The awards are presented by the President of India usually in the month of March/April every year.

Bharat Ratna

  • Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award of the country.
  • It is awarded in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour.
  • It is treated on a different footing from Padma Award. The recommendations for Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister to the President of India.
  • The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of three in a particular year.

Source: IE